The Dental Technician Magazine September 2021 by The Dental Technician Magazine

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VO L 74 N O. 9 I S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 I B Y S U B S C R I P T I O N

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN OPERATIONS TEAM BY ASHLEY BYRNE I PAGES 30-31

THIS MONTH... l

DENTAL TECHNOLOGY: ZIRKONZHAN I DOUBLE SCREW METAL TECHNIQUE P. 8

INTERVIEW: DARIUS NORTHEY I VITA P. 12-13

DENTAL NEWS: ANDREA JOHNSON I SELECTED TO JOIN THE HLA P. 34

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2021 Editor: Matt Everatt F.O.T.A. E: editor@dentaltechnician.org.uk Designer: Sharon (Bazzie) Larder E: inthedoghousedesign@gmail.com Advertising Manager: Chris Trowbridge E: sales@dentaltechnician.org.uk T: 07399 403602

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Andrea Johnson Ashley Byrne Ross Chapman Sharaz Mir Sir Paul Beresford

PUBLISHED BY THE DENTAL TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE, PO BOX 2279, PULBOROUGH, RH20 9BR. T: 01372 897463 The Dental Technician Magazine is an independent publication and is not associated with any professional body or commercial establishment other than the publishers. Views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or the editorial advisory board. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome, though no liability can be accepted for any loss or damage, howsoever caused. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express permission of the editor or the publisher.

Welcome Welcome from the editor

Dental Technology Zirkonzhan - Double Screw Metal technique Removable dentures: New aesthetic concepts for the customers of tomorrow. By MDT Damiano Frigerio

The Dental Technician, Select Publisher Services Ltd, PO Box 6337, Bournemouth BH1 9EH

Extend your subscription by recommending a colleague There is a major change in CPD coming soon. The Dental Technician Magazine is a must read. Tell your colleagues to subscribe and if they do so we will extend your subscription for 3 months.

8 20-23

Interview VITA VIONIC VIGO makes the difference with Darius Northey

12-13

Insight What is Veterans Bite Back? The power of teamwork. By Davide Accetto

DTS 2022

14-15 24-25

ECPD Free Verifiable ECPD & ECPD questions

26-27

Technicians Insight The buggers. By Andy Sanson

28-29

Business The importance of an Operations Team. By Ashley Byrne

30-31

Dental News Andrea Johnson - first ever Dental Technician Scholar selected to join the HLA

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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BAR HEADER WELCOME

From the Editor Matt Everatt F.O.T.A

Welcome to your September edition of The Dental Technician Magazine

Firstly, I would like to thank all of you who took the time to respond to my article last month where I discussed the shortage of Dental Technicians. I had intended on including a follow up in this months edition, sadly due to unforeseen illnesses I simply haven’t been present to put a response together. I had spent several months trying to avoid the ‘C’ Word (Covid19). Well, it inevitably hit our household the first week in August, my daughter caught it from colleagues at her workplace and kindly shared it and I subsequently spent the next two weeks isolating and recovering. The symptoms weren’t too bad, like a cold that lingered a little longer. Maybe being fully vaccinated helped, the rest of our family remained fit, healthy and negative tests results. Shortly afterwards, we decided to visit family in the midlands, where I became unwell again. This time, food poisoning resulting in a 4 day stint in hospital, on drips, morphine and a million tests. Who knew food poisoning could take such a toll on you? So, August kind of passed me by and I would happily not ever talk about August 2021 again! Onwards and upwards.

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I will briefly touch on the subject of shortages of Dental Technicians in order to keep the subject live. There have also been several posts on the DTGB group discussing this very subject. Chris Maryan, previous course lead at Manchester Met University, raised some very good points and reminded us all that this subject has come up in previous years. Many have been saying how we are our own worst enemies at times and devalue our skills by offering very cheap products and services to our clinicians and patients. I do hope to continue this discussion into the October edition where we will pull together some of the responses and opinions of the current state of affairs, looking at recruitment, training, salaries and pricing structures. I have read that several laboratories are taking this busy period as an opportunity to look at their services and pricing and some have chosen to no longer supply devices at NHS type pricing levels. It is certainly an interesting time for our profession, there are certainly lots of opportunities for us all to thrive, it is how we move forward during these times that will determine our futures for many years ahead. Wishing you all the very best for the new season ahead, I look forward to writing more in the October edition.

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DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

NEW TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCTION OF FULL - ARCH PROSTHETICS ON DIVERGENT ANTERIOR IMPLANTS

NEW DOUBLE SCREW METAL TECHNIQUE T he production of full-arch prosthetics on divergent anterior implants is one of the most challenging jobs for a technoclinical team. However, with the new Double Screw Metal technique and the integration of a primary bar in the final restoration, it is now possible to strike a balance between function, stability and aesthetics.The design of the titanium bar incorporates an innovative CAD/CAM workflow, in which four additional screws are added to screw the superstructure to the bar.

addition of virtual screws within the bar design. Besides, the 3D rendering provides the optimal position of the screw channel in the primary structure, as well as the ideal fit of the screw head in the superstructure. Thus, the titanium bar is double screwed - both to the implants and to the secondary structure. The integration of the Double Screw Metal technique not only avoids unaesthetic vestibular channels in the anterior region, but also improves postoperative maintenance and hygiene. With the Double Screw Metal technique it is thus possible to produce highly stable, bar-supported rehabilitations even in complex cases without compromising the full arch aesthetics.

These screws are generated with the new Double Screw Metal function of the Zirkonzahn.Modellier software (Attachment module), which allows the

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WATCH THE CASE GALLERY!

The restoration consists of a titanium bar with a secondary framework made of Abro® resin and layered with Gingiva-Composites

BARTPLATTE NEW TECHNIQUE FOR MILLING AESTHETICALLY PLEASING RESTORATIONS WITH PALATAL IMPLANTS Geometric adaptation of the bar and creation of further bar retentions via a new advanced software function, to customise the bar placement into the palatal area. Case made by DT Bart Ziengs – Zirkonzahn Education Center Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

ABRO® MONO AND ABRO® MULTISTRATUM® RESINS (1) & GINGIVA-COMPOSITES (2) New resins with improved translucency values, high flexural strength and abrasion resistance, speciﬁcally conceived for the production of dentures, but also for long-term temporaries as well as secondary and tertiary structures. The gingival area can be customised with Gingiva-Composites. The available colours of the composites are based on ICE Ceramic Tissue shades: through the temporary restoration, patients can get an immediate aesthetic impression of the ﬁ nal prosthesis.

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EXTEND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BY RECOMMENDING A COLLEAGUE There is a major change in CPD coming soon. The Dental Technician Magazine is a must read. Tell your colleagues to subscribe and if they do so we will extend your subscription for 3 months. The only condition is that they have not subscribed to the magazine for more than 12 months. Just ask them to call the Subscriptions Hotline. With four colleagues registered that means your subscription would be extended for a year free of charge. At only £39.95 per year, for UK residents, this must be the cheapest way of keeping up to date. Help your colleagues to keep up to date as well. Ask them to call the subscriptions Hotline on 01202 586 848 now.

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INTERVIEW

“FULL DENTURES CAN NOW BE INTEGRATED INTO THE EVERYDAY DIGITAL LABORATORY PROCESS!” VITA VIONIC VIGO MAKES THE DIFFERENCE WITH DARIUS NORTHEY

or many years, digital dentures were thought to be impractical. However, as with most areas of digitalization, the pace of development has been rapid in recent years. Sometimes just one small component is missing before new technologies can be utilized in a variety of everyday uses. In the case of full digital dentures, the innovative optimization of the VITA VIONIC VIGO digital denture tooth has led to a major new technology. Due to its three-dimensional anatomical layering, the smart tooth has a vibrant and highly aesthetic appearance, similar to what we are used to seeing from highly filled premium teeth for conventional denture fabrication. Dental technician Darius Northey (Buderim, Australia) is already working with CAD/CAM in a number of areas. As a lab owner, he not only focuses on precision and aesthetics, but also on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Until now, he has not routinely manufactured full dentures in a digital workflow. The process seemed too complicated and not particularly economical. He has tested the new ready-to-use VITA VIONIC VIGO denture tooth with his existing hardware and software and shares his experiences in the following interview.

It was a real surprise for me to see just how easy it was to integrate VITA VIONIC VIGO into our existing digital workflow. Everything ran seamlessly without requiring any further upgrades to the hardware and software. Did you use additive or subtractive techniques to fabricate the denture base? What were your reasons for using this particular process?

I deliberately decided to use additive manufacturing with a 3D printer. The decisive factor for me was saving time. Printing is faster than milling and much faster than conventional fabrication methods. We were already using the NextDent 5100 3D printer in the lab. I purchased Opaque Pink 3D+ as

the denture base material. That was all it took to start producing denture bases with the additive approach. What advantages does the VITA VIONIC VIGO denture tooth offer you when it comes to CAD/CAM-supported fabrication of full dentures?

VITA VIONIC VIGO has been specially developed for digital workflows. The shape was designed to eliminate the need to grind the tooth cervically or occlusally. It comes preconditioned straight out of the packaging and is bonded in place immediately. On top of that, it has outstanding aesthetics compared to other teeth that are milled or printed in a digital workflow. That made the decision easy for me.

Does a lab have to meet special hardware and software requirements in order to manufacture digital dentures using VITA VIONIC ?

That was a question that was on my mind when I was looking into this process. As a lab owner, you don't want to completely upend established workflows because of the implementation of a new type of treatment.

The self-curing, two-component bonding system VITA VIONIC BOND

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INTERVIEW

How does the process of bonding the denture teeth into the milled or printed denture bases work?

The VITA VIONIC BOND bonding system is ready for use immediately after mixing. The basal design of VITA VIONIC VIGO without undercuts and with precise fit in the range of 20 microns makes it really easy to bond the teeth into the denture base. The teeth fit into the alveoli without rotation, so that the virtually planned position of the teeth can be perfectly reproduced. Every dental technician can do this. Will you continue to fabricate your full denture restorations using the digital workflow? How will this technology develop in the future?

We will continue to fabricate our new full denture cases using the digital workflow. The economic aspects were especially convincing for me. I can take care of other tasks while the denture base is being printed. I think the use of intraoral scanners will steadily increase, and the software and hardware will just get better and better. CAD/CAM-supported fabrication of full dentures will be mainstream in dental laboratories in the near future.

VITA VIONIC BOND when applied to the alveoli of the denture base

The denture base was fabricated using additive manufacturing in a 3D printer. The VITA VIONIC VIGO denture teeth were bonded in place

VITA® and other VITA products mentioned are registered trademarks of VITA Zahnfabrik H. Rauter GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Säckingen, Germany.

The virtual setup could be completely individualized in the anterior region The VITA VIONIC VIGO denture teeth look entirely natural, thanks to their three-dimensional layering

Lingualized occlusion provides freedom for centric and eccentric movements

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INSIGHT

WHAT IS VETERANS BITE BACK? HOW IS IT LINKED TO DENTAL TECHNICIANS GREAT BRITAIN (DTGB) AND DEN-TECH? Veterans Bite Back is a project that is ran and managed by Den-Tech and supported by DTGB, but this was not always so. So, how did it come to be this way?

lan Wright explains that DTGB came about from his time after leaving the bench in the Army where he was as a Maxillofacial tech and then starting his journey travelling around as a Technical manager for various company’s he worked for such as, Bracon, Chaperlin & Jacobs ltd, Skillbond and now his role heading up the laboratory division at Blueprint Dental Ltd. Having never worked in a commercial laboratory and always being as part of a strong team always in the military, Alan struggled to come to terms with how many labs struggled to communicate and reach out to each other for help or just technical support it as this was second nature to himself.

So, to help to address this he started a local study club in his area, and it took off, then when online media became an everyday tool for people, the idea of a Facebook technicians group came to him as a means to get more technicians involved with the study clubs and speaking to each other, and it just grew from there. The initial idea of Veterans Bite back came about as a conversation Alan had with a good friend of his, Colin Gaylor, they were at the Southampton Veterans breakfast club when they were discussing the amount of ex-military living on the streets struggling to get help not only with basic living but with getting access to Dental care. Colin describes that, in 2017, Alan mentioned he would like to get proper dental care to their homeless Armed Forces Veterans. They had spent some time working out what they would need and decided that they would start Veterans Bite Back. Alan decided to introduce Colin to the Trustees of Den-Tech and they were subsequently invited to London to meet with them at their next trustees meeting. Colin and Alan gave a presentation at the meeting of what they would like to do and what they wanted to achieve. They describe the outcome of the meeting as being very positive in that Chair Andrea Johnson said if we could find a property then she was sure she could help make it work. In 2018 Colin was fortunate enough to be given the use of a vacant NHS clinic where one of the rooms was considered by Alan and Colin to be idea for a dental surgery and another room suitable for a small onsite dental laboratory. Sharaz Mir, Alan’s Boss at Blueprint Dental stepped up and very generously donated some equipment, including a team to help build the start of the dental treatment centre, which included a fully working and plumbed in dental chair.

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INSIGHT

Andrea at Den-Tech gave invaluable help and guidance all the way and it just seemed to make a great deal of sense to bring Veterans bite back under the umbrella of the wellestablished Charity that is Den-Tech. Andrea also came down and started to kit out the technician’s room. Unfortunately, Covid-19 struck before we could get the rooms completed. Now that restrictions are lifting, yet more complications have been added to the project with new rules and regulations around air changes, ventilation, fallow times etc. However, not to be defeated, and with Veterans Bite Back project now firmly under the umbrella of the wellestablished Charity that is Den-Tech we have together been looking at new and innovative ways of working and have already helped two homeless veterans with full sets of dentures with yet even more on the books. Although the original model and wish was to provide onsite dental services at the centre, this is not currently practical and so the room is to be utilised as a dental education and therapy room where a new counsellor at the centre who is also a trained and experienced dental nurse will help the veterans and their families to overcome their dental phobias, a place where they can explore and become familiar with the dental environment with no pressure and which will aim to lead them to seek out dental check ups and treatments before problems arise without the fear the phobia brings. Through this initial chance conversation between Alan and Colin and then the subsequent introduction to Den-Tech, it has meant we are able to give something back and once the country gets back to normality, we can continue to take it from strength to strength. The rest is history.

We would like to thank every member of the DTGB group that donates equipment to Den-Tech and the supply companies that sponsor the two causes via the collaborative coming together of DTGB and the Dental technician’s magazine, the help has been amazing.

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DTS 2022

ENHANCING EDUCATION l

No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn. For all the latest insights, save the date for the next Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) in 2022! With an unrivalled line-up of professional speakers, DTS offers every opportunity for individuals to attend lectures, seminars and workshops to further their understanding and knowledge of all the latest techniques and technologies in the field. DTS offers education for all members of the lab team, including orthodontic technicians, clinical technicians, dental technicians, lab owners and those who focuses on dental implants or dentures. MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT AND SAVE THE DATE TODAY!

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DENTAL TECHNICIANS

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the Dental Technology Showcase 2022 and hear from the industry’s leading voices on how we can inspire the next generation to enter the market. The 2022 show promises to be a platform for positive change and growth for the industry, covering engaging

topics aimed at tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the profession. Delegates will be able to join one of the most important conversations of our time concerning how we inject new blood into the industry, against the backdrop of a major shortage of UK dental technicians. Key points of discussion will cover changes to apprenticeship schemes,

Brexit, and how we can improve the perceptions of dental technicians to motivate and inspire the next generation into the industry. Make sure to play your part in some of the most exciting debates taking place in our profession to date. Don’t delay and register your interest for the Dental Technology Showcase today.

The next DTS will be held on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May 2022, Birmingham NEC, co-located with the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show. For the latest information, please visit www.the-dts.co.uk, call 020 7348 5270 or email dts@closerstillmedia.com

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DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

REMOVABLE DENTURES: NEW AESTHETIC CONCEPTS FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF TOMORROW By MDT Damiano Frigerio I RZM Department at the University of Zurich

dvances in medicine, hygiene, nutrition, and general prosperity have led to higher life expectancy. At the start of the 20th century sixty year olds had on average another 13–14 years of life ahead of them, whereas those aged 60 today can expect between 22 years for men and 25 for women. By 2030 the additional life expectancy for sixty year olds will be between 25 and 28 years. Those with a life expectancy of 80 years or more have no reason to farewell this life at 60 years of age. On the contrary, opinions about age and therefore the lifestyle of older people are changing more and more. This naturally affects their consumption patterns. (Austrian Chamber of Commerce). This life expectancy means that people between 50 and 70 are the new Best Agers, those people with an active lifestyle who see opportunities in the future. We also know that social contacts and communal life improve the quality of people’s dental care. Under these conditions the attitude towards our own body and appearance also change. In the process, it can be seen how people are gradually changing and their appearance is becoming increasingly youthful (Fig. 1a). Dental reconstructions must take into account these new circumstances without degenerating into a stereotypical Hollywood style in which the natural appearance is replaced by a false, artificial one. The search for a balance between aesthetics for Best Agers and a natural appearance starts firstly with the use of suitable materials and products. Creating denture teeth with this concept

TOP ROW LEFT - Fig. 1a: With kind permission of Dr. med. dent. Fidel Ruggia. TOP ROW RIGHT - Fig. 1: With kind permission of Dr. med. dent. Alessandro Pedrali Noy. ABOVE: Fig. 2: Planned correction strategy.

and style was the starting point for the development of PhysioSelect® TCR. If the good functionality of a denture

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is reflected in the quality of life, the chewing stability of full dentures quite obviously contributes to the quality of life of the patients.

DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

THE NEW PHYSIOSELECT® TCR

In the ongoing search for products to reconstruct completely or partly lost teeth or for fixed or removable implant reconstructions, the development of prefabricated teeth presents the Industrial Dentist Designer with exciting challenges. Firstly, the shape of the natural tooth must be considered (Fig. 1). The anterior surfaces of natural teeth can be divided along three lines: Fig. 1 a) cervical, b) mesial, c) incisal.

Fig 3

Fig 4

Fig 5

Fig 6

Proper regard for these lines gives the tooth natural looking light reflections and the correct positioning to support the lips and the smile. For this reason, every prefabricated tooth shape is specifically developed and a correction strategy is planned (Fig. 2). The subsequent wax modeling and digitalization of the wax impressions was the next step along with the preparation of prototypes made of lithium disilicate (Fig. 3 to 5).

Fig 7

Fig 8

Fig 9

Fig 10

The presented and discussed design for the layered structure (Fig. 6 and 7) was then thankfully fabricated by Candulor with the utmost professionalism. Naturally, a bio emulation concept requires precise reproduction of all the features of a natural tooth: shape, color, layering, and surface morphology.

Fig 11 Fig 12

In terms of the layer formation, it can be seen with a natural tooth that the thickness of the enamel varies and the dentin extends to the incisal edge (Fig. 8). Figure 9 shows the subsequent realization of the layered structure based on the bio emulation concept.

Fig 13

By increasing the contrast in the cross section photos of the PhysioSelect® TCR teeth, it is apparent that the layout of the layered structure corresponds to the final product (Fig. 10 to 14). Fig 14

With the surface we have attempted to achieve a natural appearance using the microstructure (Fig. 15) and macrostructure (Fig. 16) without allowing too much roughness to form, which would otherwise favor the development of plaque deposits.

RECONSTRUCTIONS BASED ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BEST AGERS Reconstructions based on the philosophy of the Best Agers must take into account the new aesthetic concepts. The modern options for software analysis are still too immature to achieve satisfactory results. Photographic support can provide us with suggestions and information for the total reconstruction (Fig. 17). The objective here is harmony between age and facial features but also between smile and lifestyle and particularly between smile and life expectancy. The fabricated teeth must consider these aspects and give our total reconstructions a fresh appearance. For the patient’s smile, the

Fig 17

Fig 15

Fig 16

Fig 18

Fig 19

FIG. 3, 4, 5: Prototypes made of lithium disilicate. FIG. 6, 7: Design of the layered structure. FIG. 8: Dentin that extends to the incisal edge. FIG. 9: Realization of the layered structure based on the bio emulation concept. FIG. 10: Cross section of PhysioSelect® TCR. FIG. 11, 12: Cross section of PhysioSelect® TCR, buccal view. FIG. 13: Cross section of PhysioSelect® TCR with gradual increase in contrast. FIG. 14: Cross section of a natural tooth and PhysioSelect® TCR. FIG. 15: Microstructure of PhysioSelect® TCR. FIG. 16: Macrostructure of PhysioSelect® TCR. FIG. 17: With kind permission of Dr. med. dent. Massimo Ciocco. FIG. 18: Details of the layered structure in the incisal area FIG. 19: Section that is visible when smiling.

position of the teeth, the layered structure, the texture, and the natural shape and color are all essential for ensuring that it immediately appears natural. We must not forget that the incisal edge with its layered structure must be visible

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and certainly also after the wear surfaces have been adjusted. Figure 18 shows the details of the layered structure in the incisal area while Figure 19 shows the section that is visible when smiling (with the exception of gummy smiles).

DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

CASE REPORT l We present a case here that was carried out

at the University of Zurich in the Clinic for Reconstructive Dentistry (RZM, UZH) under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. C. Hämmerle by Senior Dentist Dr. med. dent. Bruna Ernst. Patient S.J., 59 years, total edentulism, prosthetic restoration using the Prof. Dr. A. Gerber method with PhysioSelect® TCR teeth, shapes 786 and 64, shade A2 and Condyloform II NFC+, shade M2. Resin prosthesis AESTHETIC BLUE color 34 with the intensive shades AESTHETIC Intensive Colors from Candulor.

TOOTH MOLDS

The selection of the teeth should not depend on fixed notions such as sex or age. In this case, for example, a shape was selected from the masculine group (Group 7), which nevertheless fits well in the feminine face (Fig. 20). The setup method from Prof. Dr. A. Gerber (micro condyle in micro fossa) is the current method that we apply (Fig. 21).

The setup is carried out in this case with normal occlusion because crossbite setup is not an option due to the bone resorption (Fig. 22, 22a, and 22b).

Fig 20

Of course, customization of the plate is also part of the state of the art with a full denture restoration. Particularly with today’s societies comprising people with different backgrounds, we cannot be content with standard colors for pigmented mucosa. Our task is to give our patients a genuine and confident smile. To this end, we now have intensive colors that are added to the base color of the resin to achieve an individualized shading (Fig. 23). With the individual shade samples (Fig. 24 and 25 from Dr. med. dent. B. Mandolesi) and the reproduction of the composites according to the selected shades, highly realistic shading is achieved. Happy patient with prefabricated denture (Fig. 26 to 32). Fig 22

Fig 22a

Fig 21

Fig 22b

Fig 23 Fig 24

Fig 25

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DENTAL TECHNOLOGY

Fig 26

Fig 27

Fig 28

Fig 30

Fig 29

Fig 31

Fig 32

FIG. 20: PhysioSelect® TCR from the masculine group 7. FIG. 21: Setup method from Prof. Dr. A. Gerber FIG. 22, 22A, 22B: Setup with normal occlusion. FIG. 23: Individualized shading with the AESTHETIC Intensive Colors from Candulor. FIG. 24: AESTHETIC BLUE color 34 individual shade sample with progressive white increment. FIG. 25: AESTHETIC BLUE color 34 individual shade sample. FIG. 26: Intraoral photo. FIG. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32: Final denture.

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: Dr. med. dent. B. Ernst for many years of masterful aesthetics of full dentures that were carried out. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. C. Hämmerle, Clinic Director RZM at the University of Zurich, where I have now taught classes for 20 years and where the case reported originated from

Prof. Dr. Sandro Palla for everything that I learned from him.

Dr. med. dent. Alessandro Pedrali Noy for Fig. 1.

Dr. med. dent. Fidel Ruggia, with whom I collaborate since he became Senior Dentist at the University of Zurich with case 1a.

Lastly, I would like to thank DT Marisa Fieni for her active and vital cooperation in the development of the PhysioSelect® TCR tooth as well as my team from Labor Estetiker in Lugano for their ongoing support.

Dr. med. dent. Massimo Ciocco from Lugano for 20 years of pleasant daily work and for the case in Fig. 17.

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INSIGHT

THE POWER OF TEAMWORK

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INSIGHT

By Davide Accetto I Byrnes Dental Lab

re you happy where you work? I think this is a question you’ve heard before. Now think deeper about this and ask yourself, are you really happy to wake up every morning and spend at least 8 hours in your work place every day for the rest of your life?

EMPATHY

WHAT MAKES YOUR WORKING DAY A GOOD DAY?

“Davide, you been late at work for the last week. If you won’t change this, it will have some serious consequences”

It’s the ability to understand and share feelings of others. Many workplaces of every kind can have a lack of empathy, where it is only about rules and numbers, and they forget that employees are people too.

I will answer for you! TRUST and EMPATHY. Having trust and empathy with your colleagues makes every day work a good working day. It has taken me more than 13 years to find the right working place. The first time I have stepped into Byrnes Dental Lab, I noticed something that I have never seen before in all the labs I have been working in between Italy and the UK. It was something that I could feel in the air, between people, and the whole place was lightened from this feeling. What I was facing that day was something that I have been attracted instantly with. It wasn’t about the fancy stylish laboratory, or about the newest dental technologies in the lab, but the feeling of belonging to the company and one that cares for people, and it was there all the time from the start. One of our company core values where I identify most for myself is “RELATIONSHIP”. This is what we build at Byrnes before teeth. We work as a Team, maybe sometimes I spend even too much time to walk around the lab and spend time with my colleagues in different departments, but we care about each other, and this make the difference. Obviously, as in the best families, we have some bad times too and I believe that these times are the most valuable because it shows me every time how we are able to get over these problems together.

How would this make you feel it it sounds this way instead: “Davide, you been late at work for the last week. How you doing buddy? Are you ok? I am worried for you.”

TRUST

Teamwork is about trust. This make us comfortable to be ourselves and to work at our natural best. A trusting team is where you feel safe to be yourself, to make mistakes, to open up and get your feelings and problem out, to say I am worried, I am scared; to get help and sometimes even to challenge the “rules” to make the right thing. If you don’t have a trusting team, are the people that comes to work every day invested in the people, work or company? Probably not, and the one’s that will suffer are companies, customers and at the end, ourselves.

Sometimes we struggle with personal problems at home, with family, kids and partners. Getting closer and understanding those problems will create a profound and beautiful connection that will bond us as friends, not only as colleagues. I personally hate when someone says “you cannot be a friend with a colleague” and I have heard this many times and have been hurt many times in the past from colleagues I thought they were my friends. Empathy is creating that safe circle for all, where we will share our problems and work together to solve them, where you are not accused but understood, where friendship is possible.

The responsibility of this bad environment is not always the wrong employees, but most often our leaders, managers and bosses who create the environment.

Work hard as a Team but do not forget to have “FUN” with your team. We are exceptionally good at this at Byrnes by having food together and organizing events out. We have built relationships and we can proudly says that we are Family and not just colleagues.

Obviously, trust is not something that can be built from night to day, it is a very long and painful process but the results creates a winning Team.

I hope these few words would be an eye opener for all those Teams and leaders which wish to create a better place to enjoy their working life.

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LEARNING AIM The questions are designed to help dental professionals keep up to date with best practice by reading articles in the present journal covering Clinical, Technical, Business, Personal development and related topics, and checking that this information has been retained and understood.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES n To understand the

aesthetic concepts with removable dentures.

LEARNING OUTCOME By completing the Quiz successfully you will have confirmed your ability to understand, retain and reinforce your knowledge related in the chosen articles.

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VITA REMOVABLE DENTURES: NEW AESTHETIC CONCEPTS FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF TOMORROW BY MDT DAMIANO FRIGERIO

Q1. At the start of the 20th century sixty year olds had on average XXX years of life ahead of them? A - 10-12 B - 12-13 C - 13-14 D - 14-15

Q2. By 2030 the additional life expectancy for sixty year olds will be between XXX? A - 22 and 25 years B - 23 and 26 years C - 24 and 27 years D - 25 and 28 years

Q3. The anterior surfaces of natural teeth can be divided along how many lines? A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4

Q4. What is the first of these lines? A - Cervical B - Mesial C - Incisial D - Anterior

Q5. Proper regard for these lines gives the tooth what? A - Natural gloss B - Natural looking light reflections C - White finish D - A strong coat

Q6. It also helps generate the correct positioning to support the XXX? A - Lips and smile B - Jaw C - Upper palate D - Lower palate

Q7. The preparation of prototypes was made from what? A - Lithium disilicate B - Zirconia C - Silane D - Propylene

Q8. In terms of the layer formation, it can be seen with a natural tooth that the XXX of the enamel varies? A - Smoothness B - Thickness C - Colour D - Density

Q9. By increasing the XXX in the cross section photos of the PhysioSelect TCR teeth it is apparent that the layout of the layered structure corresponds to the final product? A - Contrast B - Disparity C - Variation D - Depth

Q10. With the surface they have attempted to achieve a XXX using the microstructure and macrostructure? A - Quick turnaround B - Natural appearance C - Smooth feel D - Strong coating

Q11. *(continued from Q10) Without allowing too much XXX to form? A - Roughness B - Grit C - Chalk D - Indendations

Q12 - *(continued from Q11) Which would otherwise favour the development of XXX?

YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: VIA EMAIL: cpd@dentaltechnician.org.uk OR BY POST TO: The Dental Technician Magazine, PO Box 2279, Pulborough, RH20 9BR. You are required to answer at least 50% correctly for a pass. If you score below 50% you will need to re-submit your answers. Answers will be published in the next issue of The Dental Technician magazine. Certificates will be issued within 60 days of receipt of correct submission.

A - Cholesterol B - Tatar C - Calcium D - Plaque deposits

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TECHNICIANS INSIGHT

The

BUGGERS

By Andy Sanson

W The third in the series of diversionary and humorous articles by Andy Sanson. Andy is a retired Dental Technician who has kindly offered to share some of his stories and experiences throughout his career.

e, the staff, were habitually referred to as ‘The Buggers’ as in ‘The trouble with you buggers is you’ve got no staying power’ upon complaining that we’d been working solidly for twelve hours and felt it might be nice to go home for a little while to remind loved ones of our existence. ‘Well, next job, I suppose I’d better pay the buggers’ - the inference being that ‘not only do they come here cluttering up the place and using our gas and electric but they have the gall to expect to be paid for it’. The frightening thing is, nobody, neither staff nor management, imagined in their wildest dreams that there was the slightest thing the matter with it all. ‘The Buggers’, then; that disparate mess of individuals that constituted the staff of The Lab. Obviously I would never stoop so low as to name names and point fingers so I’m inventing a hypothetical Lab, known as The Lab for the purpose of this dissertation, along with

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TECHNICIANS INSIGHT

owners, management and Buggers in order to try and put over some kind of notion what life was like back then in the era of the Three Day Week and Showaddywaddy. So, this lab never existed, although I imagine many who worked in the trade in those days will claim I must have been spying on them. Sufficient time has elapsed between my spell at The Lab and the present day for me to be able to state categorically that what follows is pure fiction. I make no inference that these characters are based in any way on former employers and colleagues and should anybody recognise themselves then I suggest they keep it quiet. Therefore any similarity between the following characters and persons living or otherwise... is entirely intentional.

WE HAD:

THE (MIS) MANAGEMENT OWNER/ PROPRIETOR/ ‘THE BOSS’ In about 1796 he inherited the business from his uncle which ironically gave him a perceived place in life several rungs above what he would have had if he had actually forgone the platehanded one and opted to earn a living by way of the bottom-rung-first route that most poor sods have to take. This social standing way above his station gave him access to privileged company such as Rotary Club, and Golf Clubs that expected him to place his membership above family, friends and life itself, charged £500 a year for the privilege and insisted on him not knowing one end of his niblick from the other. Oh, and to drive a Mercedes or BMW that he couldn’t afford. What didn’t come with it was a speck of interest in the trade, with consequential lack of the slightest aptitude for same that resulted in the Senior Partner (see below) having to return to The Lab at the dead of night and re-set up every single try-in that The Boss had shovelled together that day. Not much self-esteem and job satisfaction, but better than going out to work.

SENIOR PARTNER One of Oliver Hardy’s ‘smart guy who's even dumber than the dumb guy’ types, he went straight to The Lab after National Service and stayed there until his retirement. Having ‘worked his way up’ for many years he bought into the business, with an unexpected windfall, for a ludicrously inflated price only later realising how much he’d been taken for a chump and seething about it into his dotage, blaming everyone from Shakespeare to Hitler - and especially The Buggers. He expected staff on infinitesimal pay to have the same attitude and enthusiasm for the business as he did and couldn’t understand the concept of anybody merely going to work in order to pay the bills and have a life. This was a man who, despite being no oil painting himself, except perhaps for something from one of Picasso’s more experimental periods, was given to making personal comments about every single person who crossed his path, usually as an aside just as they were out of earshot. Hauled various Buggers over the coals for wearing Levi 501s that cost five times as much as the tacky brown offthe-peg suit regarded by himself as haute couture. Had a home life that made the Dingles look like The Woodentops.

JUNIOR PARTNER Straight from school to The Lab. Wannabe Jack-the-Lad. By habit, took up the Sport of the Month with exaggerated enthusiasm buying all the gear (rowing, cricket, snooker down to little leather pouch for chalk). Awful at them all and had to sell the gear at greatly reduced price (pre-eBay) to fund the next craze. Drew the line at Rope Rushing and Space Hopping.

THE BUGGERS APPRENTICES AND ORDINARY STAFF Apparently, a bunch of long haired, lefty, drug-taking beatniks and dropouts (despite the fact that they all had, by necessity to be considered one of The Buggers, full time employment) who listened to that beat music on the Light Programme whilst riding Japanese motorbikes up the pavement at old ladies oh, and did all the work.

THE GIRLS Separate from The Buggers and drafted in because they could be paid much less and subjected to ‘amusing’ ribald remarks, they ranged from heartbreakingly gorgeous to ‘aesthetically challenged’. One of The Gentlemen phoned The Boss and said

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‘please don’t send that monstrosity to my surgery again, frightening my patients and turning the milk’ And the Management complied! The Senior Partner interviewed one young lady and when asked why he hadn’t given her the job replied that the last time he’d seen something like that it was on a wildlife programme and the other end had just bitten a crocodile in half.

PART TIMERS/ AUTUMNAL SKIVERS A motley collection of 45 year old, six foot six, twenty four stone and clumsy bachelors who lived with their Mums, otherwise unemployable management family members, nose-picking Sally Army soup-kitchen rejects and Pre-Cambrian chain smokers with angina and other debilitating conditions forced to empty bins and refill plaster hoppers.

TRAVELLERS Downtrodden company reps who would drive 400 miles to complete the sale of a box of sticky wax and smile unconvincingly at amateurish impressions of their accents. They were generally instantly forgettable but there was one who sticks in the memory. ‘Ossie’ was from Clitheroe. He visited once a month without fail, took the same order every time and suffered all the ‘Ay up’s, ‘Ee bah gum’s, ‘’Appen thad lak t’put kettle on, Mother’s and ‘A’l go t' 'foot of ower steyers, by ‘eck, that a will, see if a’ dornt. and being called Jimmy and ‘Ee, a thought tha wust shorter than that from seeing thee ont’ telly’ all done in thinly-disguised Shropshire accents until he finally drew the line at being accused of being a Yorkshireman.

ODD JOBBERS Ordinarily, were there any ‘small’ jobs to be done in The Lab or its environs, Buggers would be roped in to complete them, as per the Refurb to which I will come presently. Sometimes, on rare occasions when nobody could be spared, people’s relatives or acquaintances were approached for a bit of odd-jobbing or gardening. Such appointments would last an average of ten minutes up to the point where realisation dawned upon the hireling that The Boss was going to stand over him for the duration offering suggestions and pointing out his or her shortcomings. “Well, I don’t know what’s the matter with that miserable bugger - one of you’ll have to do it.”

OTHERS There was no-one else...

BUSINESS

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN OPERATIONS TEAM By Ashley Byrne

’m still amazed when I call a dental lab and the lab owner answers the phone. I always wonder to myself, ‘how do find the time to answer the phone and who does your gate keeping?’

We will come back to gatekeeping, but an Operations Team is key to any company, and before you mention the size of my lab, when my Dad and I were just two technicians, we had one Ops person. When we got to four technicians, we employed a second Ops team member, so size of the lab isn’t relevant to this article.

Our lab is now 40 people strong with 9 of those being Operations, and we are advertising for the tenth, so we are on a ratio of three technicians to one operations team member and it has pretty much been that way since we started trading fifteen years ago. As manufacturers we have a mind-set of employing people and we make stuff, and when we employ someone, we pay them x to make that stuff and sell it for x+profit and that’s how we make money. Operations teams do not make anything. We pay them x and yet they produce nothing to sell, so how do you employ

someone that’s a drain on your money? This article is aimed at tackling that mind set and showing just how valuable an Ops team can be. As a technician that is still on the bench, I am rubbish at anything operations. In fact, my Ops team ban me from most operations tasks, ranging from answering the phone to packing a job. It took some dedication from all involved, but I am proud to say that I have been well trained by the Ops team not to discuss return dates with a client! No more Ashley agreeing, “of course we can make that crown in three days before the patient emigrates to Australia...” Operations teams start with what we call gate keeping. Sales reps, energy companies, practice managers, accountant calls, etc, all do not need to come through to me. My Ops team intercept around 95% of calls that start with, “can we speak to the company owner?” They know when it’s a sales call, they know when it’s a date check and yet, they also know when a dentist has a patient in the chair, and they need to get me on that call ASAP. By filtering these calls, appointments and any aspect that uses up my time, they release me to do technical work, treatment plan and keep me off the phone so when that important call comes through from a client, I am ready to deal with it. Gate keepers also do not stop at phone calls and emails, they also help when reps that just rock up won’t get to see me. That’s not arrogance, that’s professionalism, as I’m busy and if a sales rep wants my time, I need to allocate that time and ensure we have a constructive meeting.

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BUSINESS

My Ops team manages the workflow, booking in, scheduling, and allocating all the work to the technical team, and only one has some dental background. They control all the dates and more importantly, they control all the technicians and that includes me. They inform each person what their work is for the day and the week ahead. They ensure clients get the technician they want, and they control the work volume, so no one has to do overtime. They ensure images are with the job, prescriptions are clear and accurate, and when a rush job is pre-booked, that it happens and with minimal to no stress. What happens now is each technician’s output goes up, we (technicians) have all the info, our work is managed, no phone calls, no emails to do, nothing to check or chase. So, whilst they are not producing work, the volume of work can increase with no extra stress and not only that volume increase, but also quality goes up, employee satisfaction goes up and customer service to the clinicians and practices goes through the roof. We hear it all the time, ‘we love using Byrne’s as your Ops team are just so organised’. As the lab owner, I now have almost zero influence on my operations team as Amelia, the ops lead, ensures the team keep up to date with meetings, they innovate on their own with new customer service solutions and are constant striving to improve the workflow for the team. Cashflow is an issue for any business, not just dental labs, and that’s also where an Ops team comes into its own. I hate quoting, pricing, billing, and chasing money so the Ops team do that all for me. I can keep my clients’ relationships all about the technical work and they know that when I call, it’s never going to be about money. The booking in and out is 100% operations led and the only time they involve me is when complex work needs pricing and that, on average, is less than one case a

week. They agree the remake costs, decide when to reduce or increase a price and none of that needs to involve me. When the bills are overdue, I am also not involved. Tania ensures those bills are paid and if they overrun, we use a collection firm from the DLA and in the last 5 years at least, we have not needed any court action and I have not been told of a bad debtor once. That just allows me to work on my customer relations and running the lab from a technical perspective. Operations makes running a lab a heck of a lot easier and a whole lot better for all involved. They sort all materials ordering and stock control, machine maintenance and servicing, IT, packing, money, emails, images, lab software, chasing the technicians,

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ensure we don’t miss an appointment and if we do, they organise flowers or wine, they build relationships with the practice team, they work with our drivers and our couriers like APC, UPS and FedEx, and even know what those couriers drink so we can always say thanks with their favourite beer. They sort tea and coffee stocks, our Covid regulations, our compliance, and they even organise the Christmas party and socials we do. All of this whilst smiling both face to face and down the phone. The list of what they do goes on and on, but I hope this article highlights the importance of an Operations Team that is large enough to both support your business and take your lab from good to outstanding. It is certainly one of the best investments I have ever made.

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DENTAL NEWS

First ever Dental Technician/Orthodontic & Maxillofacial Laboratory Manager, selected to join the Healthcare Leadership Academy as Scholar

Dental Technician/Orthodontic and Maxillofacial Laboratory Manager from Montagu Hospital, part of the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been selected to join the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) Scholars programme - a prestigious scholarship set up to develop and nurture healthcare leaders of the future. After completing a rigorous selection process, Andrea Johnson will be joining the academy’s cohort for the 2021/22 academic year. Founded in 2016, the HLA scholarship recognises healthcare students and professionals with proven leadership ability and gives them the opportunity to take their leadership skills to the next level. The HLA aims to inspire and support healthcare students and professionals to change the world of healthcare through leadership, one small step at a time. Andrea graduated from De Montfort University with a first-class BSc honors in Dental Technology in 2013 and has worked for DBTH trust since 2017 in her role as Orthodontic and OMFS Laboratory manager. She is also the OMFS Deputy Lead for Clinical Governance and a Quality Improvement Coach. Outside of work Andrea is well known for her work helping the homeless through her own dental charity Den-Tech. The first female Chair of the Orthodontic Technicians Association, Andrea is a member of many advisory boards and steering committees, with professional bodies such as the College of General Dentistry and regulators such as the

General Dental Council. She is regularly invited to speak at conferences and events both in the UK and abroad including as a guest speaker at various Universities and colleges around the country. Speaking about the opportunity, Andrea, said: “I am utterly thrilled and honored to have been selected as the first ever Dental Technician Scholar for the HLA, and I cannot wait to start my leadership journey with them. I have such a drive and passion for healthcare leadership, and I cannot wait to see how I can grow and develop my leadership skills to better enable me to help make a real difference within the NHS that I love.” The HLA started with the flagship HLA Scholars programme based in London and since then it has rapidly spread across the UK, with cohorts in London, Newcastle, Bristol, Belfast, and Edinburgh, as well as Amsterdam. It was formed in response to demand from young clinicians and medical students to learn about leadership. The aim of the programme is to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and develop their understanding of leadership. Speaking about this year’s cohort, Johann Malawana, Director of the HLA, said: “After a rigorous and competitive application process, with over 1,800 people starting the application process, we are delighted to welcome Andrea to our 2021-2022 scholars. “The pandemic has reinforced the need for leaders who inspire, listen and care. At a time of great global challenge, it is important that the next generation of healthcare leaders are motivated, inspired, and prepared in order to best look after the populations they serve.

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“We look forward to seeing what this generation of Scholars achieve with the platform they are given through the HLA and its community.” As part of their role, Scholars are expected to develop a community project over the course of the one-year programme, with previous projects having reached national prominence, winning prizes, publications and presentations at national events including at the House of Lords. Universities and healthcare organisations where previous scholars have been based have benefitted immensely from their staff and students becoming scholars. They have developed high profile projects that have had an impact nationally and internationally. The HLA is approved by The Institute of Leadership and Management, is a certified member of Social Enterprises UK, and is commissioned by Health Education England North East and Health Education England South West. The HLA partners with Medics. Academy and through Medics.Academy its programme is accredited by the Medical School at the University of Central Lancashire. The HLA is also supported by University College London’s Academic Careers Office. FIND OUT MORE: https://thehealthcareleadership. academy/

MARKETPLACE

HENRY SCHEIN DENTAL ENLARGES ENDODONTIC PRODUCT PORTFOLIO WITH EDGEENDO® EDGEFILE® X7 w Gillingham – 17 August 2021: Henry Schein Dental has launched the new EdgeFile® X7, the number one selling EdgeEndo NiTi system in the United States from EdgeEndo®, one of the world’s largest NiTi rotary file suppliers. EdgeEndo’s patented FireWire™ heattreating process gives the EdgeFile X7 “Canal Contouring Technology,” which makes the files extremely flexible and reduces the shape memory and “bounce back” effect common with other NiTi files. The flexible EdgeFile X7 closely follows the anatomy of the canal without straightening out, reducing the risk of ledging, transportation, and perforation. The flexible shaft reduces the need for excessive straightline access, allowing more tooth structure to be preserved.

Amongst the high-quality products in the EdgeEndo® line, are NiTi files, carrier-based obturators, and paper points. The files and obturators are excellent alternatives to the current products on the market and can be used with most existing endodontic motors and obturator ovens in the practice. The EdgeEndo systems EdgeTaper™, EdgeTaper™ Platinum, EdgeGlidePath™, EdgeOne™ Fire, EdgeOne™ Fire GlidePath and the new EdgeFile® X7 are all available exclusively through Henry Schein Dental in the UK and can all be ordered in sterile packaging. The product is offered in 4% and 6% tapers in 21 mm, 25 mm and 29 mm lengths. The EdgeFile® X7 is one of the most flexible, versatile, and cyclic fatigue-resistant product portfolios from EdgeEndo.

CERAMAGE UP BY SHOFU: THE STATE OF THE ART IN COMPOSITE LAYERING!

be mixed with each other or characterised with the light-cured stains of the Lite Art system. Thanks to the additive layering technique, only minor shape adjustments will be necessary. So the Ceramage UP C&B composite system, which is suitable for all types of crowns, bridges, inlays, veneers and long-term temporaries, uniquely combines cost-effectiveness, efficiency and aesthetics.

w The best of both restorative worlds: technologically sophisticated and aesthetically optimised. Ceramage UP, the new flowable C&B composite system combines all the benefits of composites and ceramics in an innovative highperformance material. Its high ceramic filler load and homogeneously compacted nanostructure guarantee excellent abrasion resistance, flexural strength and colour stability. At the same time, its perfectly structured layering concept with opalescent enamel and high-translucency colours allows dental technicians to achieve amazingly natural aesthetic results, comparable to layered porcelain restorations.

THE PRODUCTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH HENRY SCHEIN DENTAL’S WEBSHOP: https://hsdental.co/edgeendo

Ceramage UP is indicated for almost all anterior and posterior restorations and comes in a modular system featuring great ease of use. The individual shades are ready for use and thixotropic, so that tooth shapes can be freely sculpted using a probe or brush directly after dispensing. To further customise the appearances of anterior and posterior restorations, the flowable materials can easily

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To view or download the product brochure with individual materials, assortments and order numbers, this can be found at: https://www.shofu. de/produkt/ceramage-up/ Ceramage UP is available from your dental distributor. SHOFU UK T: 01732 783580 E: sales@shofu.co.uk W: www.shofu.co.uk

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STRAUMANN SIMPLICITY IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY w Createch Additive (SLM) is a service designed to make your everyday life easier in the lab. It provides an efficient and highly economical alternative to the milling of metal substructures. A range of dental framework solutions can be fabricated using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, which caters for even complex geometric shapes that milling cannot always achieve. Implant connections and screw seats are milled as the printed surface is too rough for the implant connection, allowing the two technologies to effectively work side-by-side. In addition, dental labs can access additional services from Createch Medical to ensure a truly seamless workflow from start to finish. If you want to benefit from comprehensive milling workflows without the significant investment required to bring it all in-house, Createch Additive offers a simple solution. REGISTER FOR YOUR ACCOUNT WITH CREATECH MEDICAL AT: http://www.createchmedical.com/en/ file-sending/login-registro/

CARESTREAM DENTAL ULTIMATE COLLABORATION w Working closely with your referring dentists is necessary to ensure optimal outcomes. So why not suggest that they invest in technology that facilitates ultimate collaboration? The new CS 3800 intraoral scanner from Carestream Dental combines cutting-edge image acquisition technology with a number of benefits that help technicians and dentists alike. Files can be instantly transferred to the lab, where they can be used with any design software due to their open STL file format. Plus, the scanner has been specifically designed with a wider and deeper field of view to ensure ultimate detail on finished scans, helping you to create restorations that are truly world-class. Find out more today. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Carestream Dental on 0800 169 9692 or visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

www.dentaltechnician.org.uk

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INNOVATIVE TOOL PACKAGING FOR EFFICIENT TOOL HANDLING VHF DEVELOPS NEW PACKAGING FOR DENTAL TOOLS w Ammerbuch, August 12, 2021: vhf camfacture has set another milestone for effi-cient and safe milling and grinding in modern dentistry. In addition to the con-tinuous improvement of milling machines, software, and tools, vhf has also re-thought the handling of tools and redesigned the simple standard packaging to a multifunctional tool packaging. This unique and patented solution further increases the efficiency in the workflow for the production of dental restorations. The innovative design of the tool packaging offers the decisive added value for dental lab-oratories, milling centers and dental practices when it comes to storage and handling. Each package consists of a protective casing and a colored socket in which the tool is held. With seven distinct colors, it is clearly visible which tool is applicable for which material class. The respective article match code is prominently marked on the protective casing. A unique feature is that the individual packages can be coupled, separated and combined as required by means of an innovative sliding mechanism, so that the best possible overview of the tool contingent is available at all times. The handling of the milling machine tools is not only easier but also safer thanks to the innovative packaging. In addition to protecting the tool from damage, the new packag-ing offers safe handling because the tool contained in the socket is not touched directly. This minimizes the risk of injury to the user. Another plus: The socket serves as a holder to directly and easily insert or remove the tool in the tool magazine of the milling machine. vhf camfacture AG, Lettenstrasse 10, D-72119 Ammerbuch , Germany. T: +49 7032 97097 000 E: info@vhf.de W: vhf.de

TOP: Ideal to combine and easy to handle – the new tool packaging from vhf. MIDDLE & BOTTOM: Comfort by vhf – innovative sliding mechanism and safe handling of the tools.

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